David Ogilvy's 'Confessions of an Advertising Man' translated in Tamil

Dakshin, Ogilvy and Mather’s specialist division to address Southern consumers, has produced a Tamil translation of David Ogilvy’s ‘Confessions of an Advertising Man’. This book has been published in 14 languages worldwide. Tamil is a first for India. In addition to that, it has been released in David Ogilvy’s centenary year. (The industry celebrated David Ogilvy's centennial on 23 June 2011)

The book has been produced by Southern publishing house, New Horizon Media.

It has a foreword by Piyush Pandey, executive chairman and creative director, O&M South Asia.

Commenting on the initiative and sharing the rationale behind the same, Suguna Swamy, consulting partner and creative director, Ogilvy Dakshin, said, "We started the execise last year and are extremely thrilled to have released the translated version of the book in David Ogilvy's centenary year."

Swamy explained that the book is a primer for professionals in the field of advertising and hence it is important that everybody in this space gets to read it and learn from it. Why a Tamil translation? She explains, "The future of the communication business is in Indian languages. Everybody, these days, is much more comfortable in communicating in their local language. Similarly, today, a Tamil man is no more seen as a science/math geek who has a distinct accent. He is quite proud of it indeed and he is self-confident when it comes to his language."

According to Swamy, this book would give an access to all the Tamil readers who are willing to read the book and find their mentor in Ogilvy. 

Badri Sheshadri, publisher, New Horizon Media, added, "We hope to take 'Confessions...' to schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu where advertising, marketing and communication are part of the syllabus. While curriculum texts are in English, Tamil versions sell five times as many as the original English. They just fly off the shelves!”

Here is the foreword by Piyush Pandey:

‘Confessions of an Advertising Man’ has been my advertising Bible, Ramayan and Koran for the last 30 years. I am delighted that it's now been adapted into Tamil. 

Apart from being a great guide on timeless advertising principles, the book has a lot of lessons for life in general. 

David Ogilvy was not just a creative genius, but an astute businessman who understood his clients' products and the minds and hearts of consumers. 

He was a great friend of Ogilvy India which has embraced and practised his principles through the decades and continues to do so. 

I am sure this book will inspire a lot of creative people and advertising people from other disciplines, along with numerous clients who stand to benefit from it. 

I am sure every reader will not only learn, but enjoy this book.

Happy Reading!

- Piyush Pandey

(Executive Chairman and Creative Director, South Asia
Ogilvy and Mather India Board)

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